Maximising Reuse and Recycling of UK Clothing ... - Oakdene Hollins

and collection by this method often results in poor condition of the textiles.
Where co-mingled collection takes place, LAs should offer alternative textile
recycling options such as partnership with commercial companies to collect
textiles separately, in good condition.
69 Lower levels of UK sorting and the direct shipping abroad of unsorted clothing is
increasing, encouraged by robust overseas reuse and recycling markets and
declining or stable UK recycling markets. A level of UK sorting is desirable in
order to service UK markets and also to reduce risk of exposure to overseas
trading markets. Experience with other recyclates has shown that such markets
can be volatile, although this can be reduced by offering higher quality
products/materials. Greater transparency on fates of clothing is required from
both companies and trade organisations. Interventions such as innovation
funding, demonstration projects and capital equipment grants should be used to
create new markets for recycled fibre in the UK.
70 Collection and reuse/recycling of corporate clothing at end of life is lower than
with conventional clothing due to identical pieces, security and branding
concerns and tax treatment. Use of public procurement initiatives may increase
the sustainability of corporate clothing used in the public sector, including
improved end-of-life management. Greater consistency in the application of tax
rules to corporate clothing, with more detailed guidance on what constitutes
acceptable corporate identification that also maximises the potential for reuse.
Increased collection of used corporate clothing by companies or their agents is
recommended.
71 Textile rental already possesses the collection infrastructure for efficient
recycling. Particular problems remain with some products such as mats and
specialist uniforms such as for clean rooms. Market development via innovation
or demonstration funding for specific problem products will help increase
recycling rates in this sector
72 A carpet collection infrastructure is being created to accept carpets from
HWRCs, albeit from a small base, facilitated by Carpet Recycling UK. There
exists a small collection, sorting and reuse industry for carpet tiles and carpets,
often based on social enterprises and - in the case of carpet tiles - reuse
schemes can sometimes be operated in partnership with carpet tile
manufacturers. There are also remanufacturing opportunities in carpet tiles,
currently shipped to the USA and thereby operating on a larger scale. Market
development via innovation, demonstration or capital equipment funding will
assist in creating more robust markets for the carpet fibre and backing that will
be produced from collection and sorting, and for investment in remanufacturing
technology.
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